Fundraising Goal: $103,000 USD ($143,205 CAD)

Deadline: April 24th, 2026

I am at risk of being forced to end my medical education, not because I failed, not because I gave up, but because I cannot financially afford to continue. I am a second-year medical student facing the reality of losing my seat in medical school, my visa status, and my access to clinical training if I cannot secure the required funds by April 24th, 2026.

My name is Josiah Nyembwa, and I never imagined having to ask for help like this. I am an MD candidate currently enrolled at Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados, working hard, performing well, and doing everything within my power to become a physician. I have reached the absolute limit of what I can manage financially, and I am asking for your support because I don’t want finances to be the reason why my dream of becoming a physician ends.

I have spent my life pushing through challenges in silence. I am someone who tries to figure things out on my own, works hard, and keeps moving forward. But I have reached a point where hard work alone is no longer enough to overcome what I am facing.

My Story

I am a Canadian citizen, a Black immigrant, and the child of parents who fled their home country in search of safety and opportunity. When we immigrated to Canada from South Africa, a comfortable life did not come easily. Our life was very challenging, unfamiliar, and we built our new life from absolutely nothing. My parents managed their own education alongside low-income jobs, working tirelessly to build a more stable future for us. Though we were not given an easy path, we refused to lose faith and kept moving forward.

When I was 5 years old, I had meningitis and came dangerously close to death. This experience was a pivotal moment in my life because it showed me the profound impact a physician can have when they genuinely care for their patient. I spent days in the hospital feeling weak and scared. My mother was seeking the advice of many doctors, but they all underestimated the severity of my symptoms, leaving me with an underlying problem that was unmet. Until my family doctor took the time to re-examine me. The simple act of listening, investigating, and refusing to overlook what seemed small changed the course of my life forever. If she had rushed, ignored me, or assumed I was fine, I wouldn't be here today. This experience stirred something deep inside me. I wanted to become a physician, one who protects vulnerable people and never overlooks a single patient, even when feeling tired, busy, or pressed for time. I want to be a family doctor because I believe in providing long-term care and being a steady presence for people at every stage of life. I desire to pay it forward to the next generation by being a doctor who strongly advocates for those who feel undervalued and dismissed.

About Me

Service has always been part of who I am. At the end of high school, I received the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award for dedicating over 1,000 hours to community service. I have served in community organizations, food banks, and leadership roles.

In addition to this, I currently serve through music. I am a passionate bass guitarist and have served at my home church for over a decade by playing at festivals, weddings, gatherings, and conferences. While studying in Barbados, I continue to serve through Ross Christian Fellowship (RCF), our campus church.

Furthermore, I’ve worked in healthcare as a Personal Support Worker (PSW), providing direct patient care including feeding, assisting with mobility, hygiene, and supporting people who are vulnerable, aging, sick, or in recovery. I’ve seen people at their lowest and witnessed the impact of illness on families, and the consequences of delayed care and overlooked symptoms. While working as a PSW at Providence Healthcare, I received the ‘Our Shared Values Award for Compassion’. This award is based on written nominations I received from people who directly witnessed my care and character. In the written nomination, a family member and a staff member described how my swiftness and attentiveness helped identify signs of a stroke in the middle of the night. This allowed emergency treatment to be initiated within the critical care window, saving the patient from debilitating health complications or even death. Through this experience, I realized the kind of physician I want to become: a doctor who notices, listens, and responds with urgency. One who never forgets that every person in front of them has sacred value.

By the grace of God, I graduated from the University of Toronto in 2022 with an Honors Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Human Biology. During my undergraduate studies, I also had the privilege of serving as a Program Development Administrator for the Canadian Black Scientist Network. In collaboration with an incredible team, I helped lay the foundation for the Be-STEMM Conference. This was the first Canada-wide initiative dedicated to celebrating and elevating the work of Black scholars in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine. I felt called to be part of this effort because I know firsthand how difficult it can be for Black students to access opportunities in these spaces, and I wanted to help create new pathways where few previously existed.

Despite there being a desperate need for doctors globally, entering medical school remains extremely competitive. I faced challenges just to gain the required experience, such as shadowing doctors after the COVID-19 pandemic. Opportunities were so limited that I had to travel to Milan, Italy, to complete my shadowing experience at an oncology hospital over the course of 2 weeks.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be at Ross University School of Medicine, and I do not take it for granted. I work hard every day to stay consistent with my studies, and I currently maintain a 3.83 GPA on a 4.0 scale. I am also proud to serve as an Anatomy Teaching Assistant. This role is an honor, and I am grateful to contribute to the university and support my fellow students. While this role provides me with an hourly salary of $10, this is not enough to cover my expenses due to the fact that I only work a few hours each semester.

The Reality I’m Facing

Throughout this journey, I realized that even with hard work and dedication, many doors remain nearly impossible to open without support. There are different levels of access depending on where you’re from, your citizenship, your background, and the resources available to you. As an international medical student, I’ve faced major financial barriers that many people don’t see:

My family and I have tried multiple banks, brokers, and strategies to improve approval chances. We were given hope, told “maybe,” and “it looks promising,” and then denied again and again. We have tried everything, and I’m writing this because I have absolutely no more options left.

This process has been emotionally draining and financially a huge burden. Every rejection feels like a reminder that my dream does not matter. Even though I have the grades, the commitment, the discipline, and the heart to do this, it's not enough.

There is a systemic gap here that doesn’t get talked about enough: students from marginalized backgrounds are asked to compete in medicine, but are given fewer pathways to remain in it.

Why I Am Raising $103,000 USD

I am raising $103,000 USD because this is the total amount needed to allow me to finish my basic sciences courses on the island (August 2026) and transition into clinical rotations in the United States (January 2027).

The Breakdown

1) Credit card debt: $25,200 USD

I opened up multiple credit cards to make tuition payments. This was not sustainable, but it was the only option I had while I was waiting for months to receive approval for my student line of credit applications from the bank.

2) Immediate tuition required by April 24, 2026: $51,500 USD

This is the amount required to enroll for the next semester. April 24th, 2026, is the deadline to continue without interruption.

3) Tuition balance that must be cleared to finish the island phase: $23,300 USD

This balance represents the required tuition for my final semester on the island before transitioning toward clinical rotations.

4) 3% online processing fees: $3,000 USD

I have provided documentation of my tuition balance, enrollment status, and GPA for full transparency.

Why Your Support Matters

Every contribution makes a real and immediate difference in my ability to continue in medical school.

This GoFundMe is not just about tuition. It is about ensuring that becoming a doctor is not reserved only for those with financial safety nets. It's about supporting a future family doctor committed to serving and advocating for people who often feel unseen.

How You Can Help

If you can give, please consider donating today. If you are unable to donate, sharing this page with your network would mean the world to me. Every small contribution makes a meaningful difference. If you could pray for me or provide any encouragement, that would be greatly appreciated.

With deep gratitude,

Josiah Nyembwa

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10